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Thread: Buying a Welder for Newbie

  1. #1
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    Buying a Welder for Newbie

    Hi All,

    I'm looking to buy a welder (and there hasn't been a welder thread for nearly 12 months!!) and have zero knowledge beyond using a stick welder many years ago. I'll try to be logical in structuring a question but will no doubt miss something. Anyway, here goes;


    • Use - Domestic and single phase, portable so inside and out use
    • Purpose - Making gate frames, window frames, minor structural box section assemblies around the home and some limited auto/motor bike work
    • Budget - no idea but not exorbitant. I understand stick is the cheapest too but don't understand the cost implications for regular use.
    • Quality of welds - important but I understand a lot is up to the 'driver' not the tool and that stick always needs some clean up
    • Materials - Steel, aluminium, possibly stainless
    • Level of competency - Used a stick ages ago. Was ok at it but needed help in setting up the welder so I didn't blow holes in the material. I'd say I was pretty good with learning to use tools so am willing to put some time into learning


    Any tips on what is most appropriate.

    Cheers

  2. #2
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    If you really want to do Aluminium and Stainless, then you've put yourself into the TIG category. You would want to spend more than $1K to get a half decent TIG plus a bottle $400 for a E, etc.
    MIG will do aluminium and stainless but Al is harder to get a handle on and stainless comes out OK, not great.
    I'd start with a budget stick, you can get a semi decent inverter unit that will run smooth as and is ideal for 2 to 5 mm steel, for a spend of less than $300 you can get a decent unit for around the house type stuff.
    My advice is to get going on Stick first. I have a TIG but I've bought a little stick unit because it's just handy to have, especially when tacking up.

    Cheers Glen

  3. #3
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    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Gold Subscriber
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    What he said.

    Unless you want to drop a bundle on an AC TIG setup or slightly less on a MIG and spool gun, drop Aluminium from your list. Both MIG and TIG require gas which as noted costs several hundred extra to get into.

    Price wise, a half decent MMA setup (Stick) welder allow $300 to $500 - there are MUCH cheaper ones, but generally a few hundred dollars gets you a nice little inverter unit that is light and easy to use.

    If you had a bit more coin to drop, then a MIG setup with bottle of MIG mix allow around $1000

    Cheapest AC TIGS go for around $800 but I wouldn't touch one of these myself - next step up is around $1300 but even these aren't the best so you can see how quickly this gets expensive. $2000 buys a nice unit, $4000+ buys a bloody brilliant one. Again, add the $400 for a gas bottle - Aluminium uses straight argon, so you cant use the bottle you bought for your MIG either - bit of a bugger eh...

    Personally since getting my TIG, I use that the most and I love it, but a quick job will see me drag out the MIG. I do have an older cheaper stick welder I take in the ute if I need to do something for someone - the good machines stay at home.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

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    Thanks for the advice. Sounds like a small stick unit is the way to go. I need to get a face shield, gloves etc too.

    Would somewhere like Total Tools be a good starting place? (I have a mate who works there)

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    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Gold Subscriber
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    Yep, there’s usually a decent range of beginners stuff in Total Tools. Look at duty cycle of the machines - find one with the highest duty cycle, it will be a better built machine, but for the odd job here and there, almost anything will do. 👍
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

  6. #6
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    This wouldn’t be a bad option IMO. Powercraft is Lincolns budget line built in China but meets their quality control. I have a Powercraft multi process machine that I just use as a MIG and it has served me well and has ok specs for its price. As a general handyman/occasional unit, it would be good. Easy to carry around or take in the car too if needed. Has a 15 amp plug - there is a 130 amp version with a 10 amp plug on it too if that’s needed. the Ezystrike feature works well - I have demoed one of these at Lincoln and they are very easy to use.

    Lincoln 180A Arc/Tig Powercraft 185 Inverter Welder K690591 | Total Tools
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

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    Yep as homestar mentioned the powercraft inverter range go pretty good.

    My boiler makers have one for 10amp out let and never complain.

    I’ve got a power craft 131 Along with some 16TC Rods

    Powercraft 131 Inverter Welder 130 Amp Package K69041-1P

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    I recently bought one of these Gas/Gasless MIG because I'm building a slide-on camper unit:
    Sydney Tools
    Bunnings and other suppliers have similar systems - some need a 15Amp power supply.

    Stainless or aluminium welding were not considered.

    Quite a few boilermaker mates recommended MIG over stick due to ease of use / learning. They all use MIG or TIG at work.

    An auto-darkening helmet was another $100 plus $50 for gloves etc.

    I learnt via hints from mates and YouTube & practiced using gasless flux wire. After 10 hours learning/practice I built some jerry can brackets and after another 5 or so hours I considered myself competent enough for the real job. I then bought gas and thinner wire and it was much easier.

    You can get MIG gas from Bunnings at a fairly reasonable cost - $100 for the bottle deposit + $100 each exchange.

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/coregas-...g-gas_p5910386

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    Quote Originally Posted by PWat View Post
    I recently bought one of these Gas/Gasless MIG because I'm building a slide-on camper unit:
    Sydney Tools
    Bunnings and other suppliers have similar systems - some need a 15Amp power supply.

    Stainless or aluminium welding were not considered.

    Quite a few boilermaker mates recommended MIG over stick due to ease of use / learning. They all use MIG or TIG at work.

    An auto-darkening helmet was another $100 plus $50 for gloves etc.

    I learnt via hints from mates and YouTube & practiced using gasless flux wire. After 10 hours learning/practice I built some jerry can brackets and after another 5 or so hours I considered myself competent enough for the real job. I then bought gas and thinner wire and it was much easier.

    You can get MIG gas from Bunnings at a fairly reasonable cost - $100 for the bottle deposit + $100 each exchange.

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/coregas-...g-gas_p5910386
    Just remember if using mig or tig outdoors to set up wind protection. My old TAFE instructor used to stress this and constantly remind the class that "the beat of a butterfly's wing will disturb the gas shield".
    URSUSMAJOR

  10. #10
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    Also remember that although MIG is easier to get going with, getting good penetration on thicker steel is harder than with stick so if you’re doing anything structural with decent size material, stick is better idea - easy to strike an arc with the amps turned up too. Buying a Welder for Newbie
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

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